Ramblings about knitting, life, exploits, and other things.

January 17, 2011

Tip up Triangles - the fun part

When one is knitting a triangle shaped shawl, there are basically four ways to achieve that shape..

One, is to cast on a gazillion stitches, and decrease one's way down to practically none. Emily Dickinson is knit this way - as is the shawl not knitting Emily inspired me to knit, Inebriate of Air - last seen draped over the knitting chair. While this does mean that one starts by casting on forever (or what feels like forever), it also means that every row is a little shorter, and by the time you're sick of it all, the end happens very quickly

Another way is to start at one tip, increase steadily on one side of the shawl until it's as deep (and half as wide) as you want it to be, and then decrease back down to the one or two stitches you started with. Argante is knit this way.

A third way is to start at the center, and do some very creative increasing around until you end up with a triangle. I've yet to try this, but I've seen it done -- in Firelight, for example.

The last way, is to start at the bottom point (or the center of the top, if you're going top down), casting on three or so stitches, and increase steadily until the shawl is as deep and wide as you like... then cast off. Stars Over Diamonds is knit that way. While this means that the end rows are interminable, the beginning goes really quickly -- and that's fun!

Look ma, almost done with the first chart already!

And here we get one of the other joys of lace. While I can clearly see that the Size U.S. 3's are a decent needle for this yarn, I can't clearly see what's going on in the outside edge (or some of the middle spaces), and those sections look, in Stephanie Pearl McPhee's words, like boiled ass.

I must remind myself that this swift progress is deceptive, and that I am unlikely to be able to churn out nine inches worth of shawl in a day again before I start on some other project.

And I promise to take the next picture in daylight -- that might let you see the awesome but subtle things going on in the color of this yarn. As for the texture ... well... I'll be enjoying that all by myself -- to share in that special joy, you'll have to buy some of your very own. (here at Sheepy Time Knits).

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I should never have touched that yarn. I can't afford that kind of yarn. *follows the link* Well...it's not THAT expensive. But I don't know if I want to knit with cobweb yarn *scrolls down the page, another step into the woods* You might just be an evil temptress...Which I love.